The Minnesota Vikings are all-in on Teddy Bridgewater. After a successful rookie season, the Vikings are building around the quarterback in an effort to improve in 2015. After suffering under a quarterback carousel during the past few seasons, Bridgewater appears to be the guy and the Vikings are committed to helping him be successful. That includes an upgraded wide receiver corps along with Adrian Peterson in the backfield.
Head coach Mike Zimmer spent a good portion of his time with the media raving over Bridgewater and dodging questions regarding the future of Peterson. The Vikings have made several moves this season. They traded for Mike Wallace and released Greg Jennings. That gives the offense more versatility and athleticism for Bridgewater to work with and according to Zimmer, he is already getting started on that effort.
"I know he's spending some time with those guys," Zimmer said, via the Pioneer Press. "I believe it's this week he has a bunch of guys coming down to see him [in Miami]. That stuff I feel good about, the way he progressed throughout the season. We anticipate that he'll continue to progress at that pace. He has to continue to make the right decisions and take the plays that are there for him. All of those things are going to lead to his development. The great thing about him is he wants to work and get better every day. I feel really good about him. He's the quality of guy that we really want to have here."
According to Zimmer, the Vikings like what they got in the trade for Wallace making it clear he will play a large role in the offense in 2015 while also hoping he helps Patterson improve as well. The former first-round wide receiver struggled heavily in 2014, but the Vikings remain confident in his future and opted not to release him.
The biggest question now for the Vikings is what to do with Peterson. There continues to be tension between the two sides as the running back opted not to meet with Minnesota officials over the weekend. The Vikings have made it clear they will not be releasing Peterson which means a return is the best option. Zimmer avoided saying much on the topic altogether.
"Well Adrian is under contract with us and we're excited to get him back here with his teammates and get him back playing," Zimmer said.
